Young Receivers Must Step Up
March 26th, 2026
“Todd, we already have the next Chris Jones on the roster. I can feel it.”
“This Joe,” unlike many, has maintained the Bucs took two steps back in free agency.
That’s not what you want to see from a team that finished with a losing record and watched the playoffs from their couches, just like you and Joe.
Arrow pointing down.
Joe frankly does not know how anyone can say the Bucs improved by letting a Hall of Fame receiver and their best cornerback bolt to teams where they boasted they’re chasing another ring.
Not good.
Gilberto Manzano of SI.com isn’t as harsh, giving the Bucs a “C+” for free agency. However, Manzano typed that to him, it’s clear how the Bucs could end up winning free agency: if the young Bucs receivers step up and Bucs fans forget Mike Evans.
The Buccaneers have plenty of depth at wide receiver to account for the loss of Evans. Still, they’re going to need their young playmakers to grow up in a hurry, remain available and play consistently throughout the season. On the other side of the ball, a subpar defensive front needed help. Robinson and Muhammad aren’t star players, but they’re dependable veterans who will provide plenty of flexibility for Todd Bowles’s defense.
Joe got to thinking yesterday that maybe Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht won’t draft an edge rusher at No. 15.
It’s not that the Bucs don’t need an edge rusher. Good golly, they need one so, so badly. But let’s think this through.
Does Joe think Licht is a little premature hyping a guy coming off knee surgery who not only has never taken a snap in a game but has yet to complete a padded practice? Yeah, Joe thought Licht was a bit much hyping David Walker at the combine.
(Joe guesses last year it was Chris Braswell’s offseason to get hyped and now it’s Walker’s turn.)
But let’s say Licht really was fully sincere that the Bucs are sitting on the next Bruce Smith. Licht also (thankfully) just signed a double-digit sack guy in Al-Quadin Muhammad, who also has a bunch of tackles for loss.
Well, if you draft an edge rusher at No. 15, who sits? The rookie? The new guy you just paid (AQM)? Or the guy you’ve been hyping, Walker? In theory, you want a No. 15 overall pick to be on the field, regardless of his position.
If we are to believe Licht really does believe Walker is the second coming, why would Licht then draft a guy at No. 15 who, at best, would take snaps away from Walker?
March 26th, 2026 at 12:27 am
I for one think our WR room is straight. Yes, losing Mike will hurt, but they proved they can get out there and hold their own. I believe with a more experienced play caller, they’ll be fine. We all watched Grizzard call questionable plays repeatedly and seemed in over his head. I’m not worried about the offense. I just want to see average play on defense, and then we should see a team that at least entertains us.
March 26th, 2026 at 12:48 am
Great point
March 26th, 2026 at 1:02 am
If the Bucs wideouts rock like they did in Seattle w/o Evans next season then of course Evans will be soon an after thought unless he pulls a hammy and some Evans haters come to this site to gloat about the guy’s misfortune. He is gone and basically it is up to the new OC and his horses to prove us sceptical fans that the O can return to 2024 form and offset any deficiencies which will be caused by what Joe referred to in the last podcast as “The Bowles Factor” (great gloss by Joe, I hope it sticks!). Special teams should be better too. But will these changes help make up for the obvious deficiencies on defense as well as the head coach. This can make all the difference between a 6-11 season and 10 wins and a postseason game at RJS.
March 26th, 2026 at 1:24 am
Walker was drafted what 4 th tound?
March 26th, 2026 at 1:29 am
Depending upon who’s available when we pick at #15, I could see JL gabbing either an ILB or a CB or a DT. Any of those 3 draft picks will get LOTS of def snaps this season providing they’re starter-capable, which any #15 pick should be.
March 26th, 2026 at 1:35 am
Joe … ‘Now does Joe think Licht is a little premature hyping a guy coming off knee surgery who not only has never taken a snap in a game, but has yet to complete a padded practice?’
Walker’s still a rookie IMO, and his 1st year on the field will go like most rookie Edge’s do. Muhammad is coming off his hottest year (11 sacks, 20 QB hits, 9 TFLs in only 457 def snaps). Let’s see, oh ya, I’ll put my money on Muhammad.
March 26th, 2026 at 1:39 am
Main thing is I think we need to absolutely target Hill Jr. Whether it’s a trade up in Rd 2.
Rd 1 best talent available at our 3 Defensive holes would be best
March 26th, 2026 at 1:40 am
The key is standing pat at 15 it’s highly unlikely we land an Edge 1 to beat out Diaby,
Or even a player that will outdo Mohammad or Walker next year, and that’s not so great
March 26th, 2026 at 1:51 am
Old
GM and HC
Must step up!
March 26th, 2026 at 2:02 am
Licht’s top picks since he came here in 2014 have been interesting, and seem to follow somewhat of a pattern …
o 2014: Offense – Mike Evans … 12 yrs as a Buc.
o 2015: Offense – Jameis Winston … 5 yrs as a Buc.
o 2016: Defense – Vernon Hargreaves … 3.5 yrs as a Buc.
o 2017: Offense – OJ Howard … 5 yrs as a Buc.
o 2018: Defense – Vita Vea … 8 yrs as a Buc (to date).
o 2019: Defense – Devin White … 5 yrs as a Buc.
o 2020: Offense – Tristan Wirfs … 6 yrs as a Buc (to date).
o 2021: Defense – Joe Tryon-Shoyinka … 4 yrs as a Buc.
o 2022: Defense – Logan Hall … 4 yrs as a Buc.
o 2023: Defense – Calijah Kancey … 3 yrs as a Buc (to date).
o 2024: Offense – Graham Barton … 2 yrs as a Buc (to date).
o 2025: Offense – Emeka Egbuka … 1 yr as a Buc (to date).
So in 12 yrs of drafting, JL has gone with Offense in 6 drafts and Defense in 6 drafts. Only 2 Offensive picks (Evans & Wirfs) have gotten 2nd contracts with the Bucs; only 1 Defensive pick (Vea) has gotten a 2nd contract to date.
Those top draft picks are the guys most successful teams build around (the Mike Evans types & the franchise QB types). And yet, Bucs have only given 2nd contracts to 3 of those 9 top draft picks (thru 2022) who were eligible for a 2nd contract. And we’ve even done worse with the Rnd 2 draft picks in terms of 2nd contracts.
Brings up the question ‘Is it due to selecting the wrong players high in the draft OR is it due to player development’? Maybe the best guys to ask would be Jameis, VHIII, OJ & JTS.
March 26th, 2026 at 2:13 am
The Bucs didn’t make a splash in FA but they did rid themselves of a pair of expensive players on the cusp of their expiration date and added mid grade, reliable talent so a C+ is fair if one grades from the perspective of a bean-counting, unsentimental Bill Belichick wannabe. Anyway…
To answer the question that ends the article: Draft a pass rusher/OLB at #15 because that is where need and opportunity meet if Mesidor is there and even if David Walker pans out as something the Bucs need a YaYa Diaby replacement because there is no way he is worth $20some million per year on even a short term contract. He is the best Licht has done at drafting a pass rusher but that by no means makes him a keeper or even acceptable for now. He is a middling producer and is no sort of leader so let some other team pay him his next contract and replace him with Maxx Crosby via trade and/or Mesidor with that draft pick. It’s not about sacks. It’s about edge defenders who are beasts vs the run as much s the pass and can make a play in coverage.
Yaya hasn’t trimmed any of the fat from his game and this draft has the talent beyond Mesidor to replace him.
March 26th, 2026 at 2:23 am
Beyond Mesidor, Zion Young, Derrick Moore, Malachi Lawrence, Gabe Jacas and R. Mason Thomas would all be upgrades over YaYa for $20 mil less.
March 26th, 2026 at 2:54 am
@hopein1hand: I don’t think Zion Young would be in Bowels and Licht’s list because of the DUI. But if they are at 15 and go best player you know they may not go for Mesidor or Allen. I have to say YaYa was one of the only players last season who put effort in and showed up. Hard to guess what they will do
March 26th, 2026 at 3:10 am
@HopeIn1hand… what you have in the other hand is what our FA looked like.
March 26th, 2026 at 3:40 am
Zion Young was All-Academic everything throughout his journey so I’m not dinging him for a DUI over a paper tag and speeding- no reckless driving or property damage but yeah, ugh, toes on the line. He is the only edge besides Mesidor who has a streak of true DT in him.
I’m not denying YaYa is on the rise but two seasons in a row with 70 pressures but how many sacks? He is better most against the run as well but you don’t smile your way to $20some mil a year you sack your way there. He needs legit competition at a minimum. Stumpy as Walker is he must be a DPR only.
March 26th, 2026 at 4:02 am
LichtBowlesSecondary- Such is life as a Bucs fan. FA isn’t over yet and the trade deadline is a long way off. I’m not too worried by the Bucs’ lack of early moves. Maxx Crosby’s price has crashed and he is on a team-friendly deal for two years so the opportunity to make a splash still exists at perhaps a reasonable price.
If the offense is clicking but no one has emerged as the next Bruce Smith (he had 200 sacks-not a typo) for the Bucs see what Spytek wants for Crosby at the trade deadline.
March 26th, 2026 at 4:10 am
I’m not as high on our receiver room as most seem to be. J Mac coming off a broken neck, Godwin on his last legs, EE, and Tez. You’re OK with that? After those four we have jags. Evans gone, Sheppard still unsigned, do we even want the oldman back? Those two players have to be replaced. Receiver room isn’t that solid it’s just better off than our front seven.
March 26th, 2026 at 4:33 am
The only thing that will stop this squad from a 10-12 win season is the HC.
March 26th, 2026 at 4:34 am
The only thing that will stop this squad from a 10-12 win season is the HC.
March 26th, 2026 at 6:03 am
“Joe frankly does not know how anyone can say that the Bucs improved by letting . . . their best cornerback bolt to teams where they boasted they’re chasing another ring.”
So much wrong here.
The Bucs moved on from Dean a year ago. Dissing a guy like that — cutting his pay and letting him walk — was a statement, a statement made before the 2025 season. We can weep all we want over losing that player but only after we admit that he was weighed and found wanting.
It’s a statement — a rejection — of a talented but unreliable player. Sometimes you gotta cut bait. Dean was cut. If you’re sad about that then hate on Jason Licht.
March 26th, 2026 at 6:44 am
Licht doesn’t believe in Walker. He has to say something. No one in the NFL believes anything but production. But if they hint at their true feelings or admit they’re hoping a guy is going to come through….then they take a beating. And the Walker thing is pure hope. Hell, if Egbuka disappeared in the 2jd half of his 1st season after that amazing start how in the world could Walker have a better 1st season? Unlikely. And, inevitably a couple of these guys will miss games with injuries where’s the backup? Braswell?
Speaking of receivers, same thing. Where the depth? Lets say for arguments sake Chris and Emeka are able to replicate some of the Mike Chris production, and that’s a looong shot, where’s the depth? Unquestionably, the step down from a “good” Chris Godwin to Tez johnson is pretty steep. Or from Emeeka to any of the 4 or 5 spot receivers we end up fielding.
March 26th, 2026 at 6:52 am
How is it that when a successful organization like the Patriots lets go of its older players, they’re a genius! When the Bucs do it, we’re idiots. LD was already a year too late, and Evans couldn’t stay on the field. Fans refuse to discuss the rebuild and cap issues. This team has been able to stay competitive throughout the process. WE ARE NOT ONE EDGE AWAY FROM AN SB! Best Defensive Player Available!
March 26th, 2026 at 7:20 am
RVATom. Don’t forget Jalen McMillan. Godwin is healthy and when he’s healthy he’s killing it. Emeka is setting up for improvement. And Tez oughta be good for a few backflips to. We’re loaded at receiver, probably better than we’ve been.
March 26th, 2026 at 7:30 am
Emeka Egbuka
63 receptions, 127 targets
That’s has to improve a lot this season
Maybe he get motivated by the bag his buddy JSN got
March 26th, 2026 at 7:43 am
Pass on Mesidor at pick #15 – he will already be 25 years old before the draft so his upside potential will be limited…
What you see is pretty much what you get.
Plus – he played the opposite side with Bains (arguably the best pass rusher in the draft) which afforded him more opportunities than he will get here in Tampa.
Bucs should attempt to trade back in round #1 and pick our next starting ILB for the next decade.
March 26th, 2026 at 7:49 am
Ah, the proverbial chicken or the egg question. Or is it the Ira vs Lee question, Licht or the Todd?
Well your sample set would definitely point to the former, “selecting the wrong players high in the draft,” considering how none went on to have stellar careers and they represent different coaching regimes while playing in Tampa. Ergo, the one constant for first round failure is Jason Licht. With that said, Todd doesn’t seem to excellerate defensive failure
March 26th, 2026 at 8:05 am
Nope, JL, Bowles and Bake need to step up.
Winning teams are winners with 2 of the 3.
Good or great GM, head coach and QB.
Look it up.
March 26th, 2026 at 8:17 am
“Well, if you draft an edge rusher at No. 15, who sits? The rookie? The new guy you just paid (AQM)? Or the guy you’ve been hyping, Walker? In theory, you want a No. 15 overall pick to be on the field, regardless of his position.”
Oh no, what if we end up with too much talent in the OLB room?
There’s plenty of ways to get >2 OLBs on the field, we’ve been doing it defensively in a couple different ways for some time now.
AQM isn’t being paid starter money, nor is he a long-term option. Both he & Gainwell were probably brought in under the same premise. Guys you could get the most out of no matter how little they played in compared to guys playing the majority of the snaps.
Braswell is still trying to prove something, right along with Walker.
Nelly is Nelly.
I don’t care if it’s 15th, 46th, 77th, or even 116th, we need to add more talent to that room. We need injury insurance in that room. We need to have a “both are good enough to start, who plays most” in that room. Had that with Dean & SMB at one point. Had that with Whitehead & Edwards, but we’ve never had that problem on our front.
It’s not the 2010’s anymore, we don’t need to force rookies into action, instead use them to gradually integrate them into the offense/defense when the season goes live. That’s why we went out and got those vets at select positions.
March 26th, 2026 at 8:38 am
Licht was speaking to Walker through Joe, just like he was speaking to Braswell last year – encouraging them. Doesn’t mean Licht thinks these guys are starters. Licht loves using Joe to pass along messages to players since he knows Joe wants clicks.
The concern I have with picking edge at 15, is that Bowles will push a run stopper over a pass rusher. Licht needs to pick a pass rusher with proven sack production because Bowles will be gone in 2027. Some of the edges hyped by the pundits have very little sack production.
Starting edges this year?
Right edge -YaYa on run downs and AQM on passing downs.
Left edge – #15 starts, backed up by???? Walker, Nelly, Braswell
Needs?
Left edge,
ILB to pair with Anzalone (Roseboom should NOT start),
pass rushing DT
CB
March 26th, 2026 at 9:44 am
I don’t know why people are sleeping on Cashius Howell Just because he has Shorter Arms Dude is So Fast I Personally think he will be Great Id take a Chance on Him I think him coming in to rush the Passer as a Rookie will be Great then the Bucs have a Group of Guys who can get the Job Done
March 26th, 2026 at 9:58 am
“I don’t know why people are sleeping on Cashius Howell Just because he has Shorter Arms Dude is So Fast I Personally think he will be Great Id take a Chance on Him I think him coming in to rush the Passer as a Rookie will be Great then the Bucs have a Group of Guys who can get the Job Done”
I feel like outside of maybe Bailey & Bain, as far as purely rushing the passer Howell has one of the more fluid & refined pass rush skill sets on any other player at the position.
It’s why I’m hoping teams go after guys at the position with the prototypical size, and give me the guy who’s undersized to them, but damn near Shaq Barrett size for us.
March 26th, 2026 at 12:02 pm
I have always felt that successful teams are built around a few players that are the best in the league at their position. Perfect example was Brady and Gronk. If they draft Sadiq they will have one of the best TE in the league, Present day look at KC and Kelsy. Baring injuries (none I know of in college) he will be a starter and productive out of the box. Probably improve the other TEs we have. Messidor, etc. might be good picks, but with Sadiq we KNOW we got a good one.
March 26th, 2026 at 12:05 pm
I don’t think there will be an edge rush specialist sitting there at #15.
Since we don’t have Aiden Hutchison on the other side of the d-line, I also don’t think Muhammad is going to get double digit sacks.
While I “hope” we’re still putting a package together for Maxx Crosby, I don’t use “hope” as sure bet.
Whomever we pick at #15, needs to be a legit day one starter.
I don’t think we have the X WR on the field, but that is an option if there is a player available.
With those things in mind, I think Kenyon Sadiq is likely one of the picks being considered. I hate it, but we just don’t have access to a legit defensive game-changer at OLB/edge, and the potential available ILB’s I think you could get similar talent, later.
The moment we could have seized a defensive game-changer at one of those critical positions has passed. I believe Licht has decided to be average on defense, and to take a a chance on a man offensive game-changer.
I believe we settled for mediocre defense, with a new explosive offense.
I don’t think the organization, nor Licht, are aiming for a Suoer Bowl run. I believe they just settled. There is no boldness, no commitment to “fix” the awful defense. This organization is showing signs that it will squander Baker Mayfield’s (and the assembled offensive weapons, and will be, average.
I hope I am wrong. But hope is not a plan.
March 26th, 2026 at 12:49 pm
Edge rushers go early because if one works out you save truckloads in the salary cap. They are SO expensive to sign. Howell looks pretty good actually and we could trade back and get him. Mesidor also. At least one of them will be available in the early 20s. Then we have an early second round pick to get Hill or Rodriguez- at least in theory…
March 26th, 2026 at 12:51 pm
By the way, if you go back and watch David Walker highlights he looks SHOCKINGLY fast. Like he teleports 5 yards behind the LOS near instantly. Wow.
March 26th, 2026 at 2:09 pm
The Bucs are rebuilding. It would be great if the first two players picked were starters/impact players for the D from day 1!!!!! If not, then this could be a repeat of last season. It’s sad to even think about it.
March 26th, 2026 at 3:16 pm
e2 had a few drops, but much more often he was wide open and Baker missed him by a mile. Just go watch that opening drive of the Rams game, where e2 is wide open for a TD, and Baker misses him by 15 yards.
e2 was great, will be great.
One McMillan got back after recovering from Teddy’s hospital ball, he looked fantastic, probably playing the best out of any the WR’s in those last few games. He looked like he really took a big step from his rookie year. In fact I’d go as far to say as he could end next season as the Bucs #1 WR, and one of the top WR’s in the NFL if he builds on his end of season. I’m really high on him based on what I saw.
Godwin also looked much better by the end of the year.
The issue with all the guys was the God awful play of Baker – he couldn’t hit the broadside of barn by the end of the season, he was terrible. If he’s not terrible, the Bucs offense should be in good shape. But who knows which Baker shows up, and for how long.
March 26th, 2026 at 8:35 pm
EE and Tez got great experience last year. A lot of snaps and learned a bunch. With CG coming back close to 100 towards the end of the season and Jalen made some huge strides coming back from injury this WR room is looking great. Not concerned at all. Yes loosing a HOF player is a gut punch and would hurt any team but JOE for the talent that the Bucs have at WR we are looking good. Also getting an experienced OC will make a huge difference. Arrow is pointing up my guy not down.
March 26th, 2026 at 9:31 pm
The Glazers bucs seem to have low ambitions this year. Not because of letting 2 old FAs go but because of keeping Bowles to save money on his contract buyout. This is due to the Glazer family other business needs in India. Hopefully the draft will be better this year on defense as that does not cost the Glazers money.
March 26th, 2026 at 9:53 pm
With #6 at QB, I do t think so….All of our WR’s are going to want to leave!
March 27th, 2026 at 7:17 am
Baker is a Heisman winner and a number 1 overall pick for several reasons. He’s an amazing qb and we are lucky to have him. We need to re-sign him as soon as possible as it will save almost 100 million in cap space.